Title
The Long-Term Care Ombudsman (LTCO) seeks resolution of problems and advocates for the rights of residents of long term care facilities to ensure and enhance the quality of life and care of residents.
Ombudsman Locator
Possibly the best way to get your questions answered is by talking to an Ombudsman. The county you live in determines who your Ombudsman is.
Here you can view an interactive map displaying location specific information for an Ombudsman near you.
Report Personal Rights Violations
If you aware of an individual 60 years of age or older, who resides in a nursing home, assisted living, or ICFID that is dealing with a violation of their personal rights. Please report.
The long-term care ombudsman will initiate an investigation within 3 business days.
Resident’s Rights
Anyone (residents, relatives, friends or even the staff of a facility) may initiate a complaint on behalf of the resident. Often residents are unable to do it themselves. Only as mutually agreed upon, between the ombudsman and the resident or his/her legal representative, the ombudsman will make every reasonable effort to assist, represent and intervene on behalf of the resident.
Services are provided to persons:
Nursing home rights
If you are a resident or have a loved one in a nursing home, the link below can provide information highlighting your rights.
Certified and Empowered
Ombudsman Program Overview
The heart of the Long Term Care Ombudsmen Program is the team of certified Ombudsmen who are empowered to resolve issues surrounding the care and quality of life for people living in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Ombudsmen are there to represent the residents’ interests. It is the residents’ desires and needs that are considered and acted upon.
Being an Ombudsman is an important responsibility that is taken on with great care and professionalism. In Utah, Ombudsmen are certified only after receiving extensive training.
Code of Ethics
As an Ombudsman:
Share your time and talents
You Can Volunteer!
Are you interested in using your time and talents to serve as an advocate for nursing home and adult care facility residents? The Long Term Care Ombudsman Program is looking for volunteers to serve as certified Ombudsmen to improve the quality of care and quality of life to residents living in long term care facilities.
Certified Ombudsman not only visit residents, investigate and resolve complaints, but also use their skills to advocate for the rights of residents in nursing homes and other long term care facilities. The dual focus of quality of care and quality of life enables the volunteers to assure that residents are cared for appropriately.
Volunteers serve as a voice for residents of nursing homes and assisted living centers. Certified Ombudsmen are indispensable in ensuring that all facilities meet mandated, legal standards for every person requiring long term care.
Resources
Utah Department of Health (Licensing & Resident Assessment):
http://health.utah.gov/hflcra
Disability Law Center:
www.disabilitylawcenter.org
Medicare Nursing Home Compare:
http://www.medicare.gov/nhcompare/home.asp
Centers for Medicaid/Medicare Services:
http://www.cms.hhs.gov
Utah Division of Aging and Adult Services:
http://www.daas.utah.gov
Utah Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waiver Programs:
http://www.health.utah.gov/ltc/NC/NCHome.htm
Nursing Home Rules:
http://www.rules.utah.gov/publicat/code/r432/r432-150.htm
Utah Nursing Assistant Registry:
http://www.utahcna.com
Administration on Aging:
http://www.aoa.gov/
National Ombudsman Resource Center (NORC):
http://www.ltcombudsman.org
Utah Department of Human Services:
http://dhs.utah.gov
About Assisted Living:
Utah Health Care Associaion:
http://www.uthca.org
Utah Assisted Living Association:
http://www.myuala.com
Utah Assisted Living Rules:
http://www.rules.utah.gov/publicat/code/r432/r432-270.htm
Resident Rights:
http://www.theconsumervoice.org/uploads/files/long-term-care-recipient